Research Impact Canada is excited to announce the winners of the Peter Levesque Award for Knowledge Mobilization Leadership. This award recognizes individuals and teams who have made significant contributions to advancing knowledge mobilization and building capacity for impactful research.
The award was presented at the Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Forum 2024, held at the Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal on June 19-21st 2024. This year, we recognized two outstanding teams with the inaugural award.
About the Peter Levesque Award
Named after Peter Levesque, this award celebrates the work of individuals and teams who help advance the field of knowledge mobilization through capacity building efforts. Peter has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between research and practice and helped establish the field in Canada. His notable accomplishments include founding the Institute for Knowledge Mobilization and launching the Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Forum in 2012. Peter’s work continues to inspire individuals and organizations to prioritize the practical application of research for societal benefit.
PETER LEVESQUE AWARD WINNERS
MobilizeU: Building Capacity Across Institutions and Communities
Krista Jensen and Lupin Battersby were recognized for their work spearheading MobilizeU, an innovative knowledge mobilization training that has become a flagship program of Research Impact Canada. This 8-week training is designed for students, staff, faculty, and community partners to strengthen their understanding and application of knowledge mobilization principles. The training uses mixed-methods approach that includes independent study and real-time sessions. Through Krista and Lupin’s leadership, the program has fostered a collaborative learning environment and engaged over a thousand participants to enhance their knowlege mobilization skills. The program continues to expand with plans for a full French curriculum in the works.
Equipe Renard: Innovating Global Training in Knowledge Mobilization
The Equipe Renard Team, led by Christian Dagenais, and including Esther Mc Sween-Cadieux, Aurélie Hot, Valéry Ridde was awarded for their exceptional work on Knowledge Transfer MOOCs. This project addresses the growing demand for knowledge mobilization training worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income Francophone countries. Since its inception, the MOOC series has provided high-quality training on various aspects of knowledge transfer and mobilization, reaching thousands of participants. The MOOCs offer high-quality, accessible education crafted in collaboration with institutions like the Institut de recherche pour le développement and the University of Montreal.
We extend congratulations to both the MobilizeU and Equipe Renard teams. Their commitment to enhancing knowledge mobilization exemplifies the spirit of the Peter Levesque award. We celebrate their accomplishments and anticipate their ongoing impact. The Peter Levesque Award for Leadership in Knowledge Mobilization will continue to be awarded during the biennial Canadian Knowledge Mobilization Forum. Stay tuned for the next call for nominations in 2025!